Very Heather Urquharty of course to present the “kill your darlings” principle in a little rhyme. 🙂

This is a very important idea, especially in musical scenes and joint songs, but also in general improv.

Stick to your impulses, make your intentions very clear, be overly specific. But at the same time, let go easily if things aren’t getting picked up. Gladly accept when things take an unexpected turn. Be happy and generous even when you don’t feel your partner is following you.

Your impulses are only there to inspire your partner. Apart from that, it’s not about you. Leave your ego out.

“Your brain is a liar and wants to screw you over. It is where your ego lives.” — Dave Razowsky, 23rd October 2015, Würzburg (DE)

We all know there is no room for the actor’s ego on the improv stage. We also learn so much about getting and staying out of our head.

Everything anybody has ever said about you lives in your head. It’s packed with religion, history, shame, pride, dreams and regrets. All things that do not matter.

This quote brings those two concepts together in true Razowsky-style. During the same viewpoints workshop Razowsky also came up with the following: “Imagine the worst picture ever taken of you; look at yourself in this picture and see how despicable you look; well, that is your ego. Ban it.”.